NGD: Fender Blacktop Jazzmaster (+ same old bridge question)

[MrNovember]

I'm super happy to finally get my hands on one of these at a decent price!
Picked one up today for $275 and the previous owner had a Gibson Dirty Fingers humbucker installed. It sound glorious!
Also it's basically new, still has some plastic on the pickguard and the string from the tag. Not a scratch on it.

IMG_0661 - Copy.JPG (207.74 KiB) Viewed 7332 times

Only problem is the bridge is god awful. The high e always slips from the saddle and is generally off the fretboard at higher frets.
The previous owner tried to "set it up" but he just couldn't get it to work, which is why he sold it.
So other than properly setting this up I'm thinking of replacing the bridge.
I read through the Mastery bridge thread and I got the sense that Staytrem or Mastery would be the way to go but, I have a Gibson Tune-o-matic bridge kicking around somewhere.
Would this work well?
Or should I really splurge and get a Mastery?
Or should I wait until Feb 24th when Staytrem start making their bridges again?

[colin]

Congrats! Nice guitar.

I have a Mastery on my Jazzy and I love it, but yeah they're not cheap. You could always try a Mustang bridge, they're not overly expensive and if that doesn't fix things for you then think about a Staytrem or Mastery. The tune-o-matic I believe would require different bridge thimbles? Not sure but I don't think it's a straight drop in.

Come to think of it, I have a Mustang bridge kicking around somewhere that I don't need, so if you're interested in that option send me a PM!

[Holy Schnikes]

First off congrats on an awesome score!

I'd skip the Tun-O-Matic honestly. You'd probably have to mod anyway to get a solid fit and they aren't that great paired with a Jazzy trem. Radius is wrong as well but could be fixed if you're good with a saddle file. I'd def do the Mustang bridge if you're deciding between less co$tly options.

Otherwise, Mastery or Staytrem is the way to go, no question. I own both and they're fantastic. Easy drop in installation and they correct ALL offset bridge issues. If you can wait, go for the Staytrem and save yourself some money but you won't be disappointed with either one.

[DADGBD]

If you enjoy spending money, the sound of rattling springs and constant tinkering with your guitar, get a Mastery. If you're looking to save a bit of money and want to install the bridge ONCE and forget about it - do yourself a favour and get a Staytrem. If you want to save a bit more money than that... get yourself a vintage or US-made mustang bridge that doesn't have the wee gaps between the saddles. PM me if you want to chat about it further.

[MrNovember]

Thanks guys, I'm definitely leaning towards the Staytrem but the Mustang bridge sounds like an appealing option.
Is a Mustang bridge able to just drop in without major modification? If so I'd probably be interested in the one you have Colin.

[colin]

Yeah the Mustang bridge just drops right in. It is a set radius though, 7.25. Not sure if the Blacktop is 7.25 or 9.5.

Edit: Just looked it up, the Blacktop has a 9.5" radius, so the Mustang bridge is perhaps not ideal.

[MrNovember]

Hmm probably not ideal, thanks anyways.
I think I'll see if I can give it a good setup and hopefully that can last until the Staytrems are available again.
I'm going to email Staytrem tonight to see if I can get on a waiting list or something.

Next thought I had...gold anodized pickguard? Yay or nay?

[MrNovember]

SO I just sat with it for like an hour and adjusted the height of the saddles + the intonation.
It is 100% better than what it was when he gave it to me. Still not great but it's at least playable.
I think I'll live until I can get a Staytrem

Also he gave me it in a weird tuning: EG#BF#BD#.
I kind of like it. It wasn't the normal here's a guitar in standard tuning kind of meet up. Forced me to explore a bit.

[Holy Schnikes]

I've had zero problem with the Mastery beyond it occasionally lowering a bit. The Staytrem is def more stable but they're both top notch in my experience. The Mustang bridge failed me.

[colin]

I've never even had problems with the Mastery lowering itself. Apparently Mastery recommends keeping the bridge iself very low and raising the saddles to the desired string height. I keep mine with the bridge flush with the body and I've never had the saddles lower on me.

I haven't tried the Staytrem yet, but I don't think either would be a poor choice.

[gunslinger_burrito]

Haha, I jumped from my sell-it-or-not thread to this one..... That's the body I used to make my baritone (blacktop jazzy). It's cool you got the guitar for the price you did considering the pickup is (IMO) better than the stock one. I've had dirty fingers in the bridge of my G&L for a long time, and the neck of my nine string Mockingbird. They sound great.
Nice score
I splurged and put a mastery in my baritone. It does indeed kick ass.

[MrNovember]

Here's some vids I put together in the tuning he gave it to me in:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVEH-YoP0AM[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRak8Hz9IpA[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F3LYqZNqgM[/youtube]

Haha, I jumped from my sell-it-or-not thread to this one..... That's the body I used to make my baritone (blacktop jazzy). It's cool you got the guitar for the price you did considering the pickup is (IMO) better than the stock one. I've had dirty fingers in the bridge of my G&L for a long time, and the neck of my nine string Mockingbird. They sound great.
Nice score
I splurged and put a mastery in my baritone. It does indeed kick ass.

Thanks!
Yeah I'm really enjoying the dirty fingers. It really does sound great!
He apparently had the cap replaced with a bigger one as well.
And he told me he really doesn't like messing with guitars (didn't even like setting up the bridge) so I know it was all done professionally but I haven't opened it up yet.

I also emailed Staytrem and apparently they'll have lots of stock ready on Feb 24th. I think I'm definitely going with them. I really like the lower price a lot better

[AlexanderWOLF]

Get some sheets.

I sold my blacktop jazzie for $200

I hated the neck on it though so I'm not that mad.

[MrNovember]

Get some sheets.

I sold my blacktop jazzie for $200

I hated the neck on it though so I'm not that mad.

Haha recorded on laundry day. Hence to pjs in two of the videos and lack of sheets......ignore all that
I'm actually kind of surprised how much I like the neck on it. I wouldn't say its perfect; I'd honestly say I'd prefer chunkier (I've got big hands), but its comfortable.

Also I just ordered a gold anodized pickguard for it! So it's going to look sweet soon!

[Decibill]

Warmoth makes this modified Mustang bridge. It's got adjustable saddle height. I've got one and its great....!

http://www.warmoth.com/Modified-Mustang ... 6C700.aspx